5th International Scientific and Practical Conference “Personality, University, Society. Universities to the Defenders of Ukraine: Inclusion, Challenges, Achievements, Prospects” – Joint Event of the National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine and the Institute of Higher Education of NAES of Ukraine (26.06.2026, Kyiv / hybrid)

On 26 June 2026, the  5th International Scientific and Practical Conference “Personality, University, Society. Universities to the Defenders of Ukraine: Inclusion, Challenges, Achievements, Prospects” was held in a hybrid format at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. The conference was jointly organised by the Institute of Higher Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine and the National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine, with the support of Mariupol State University, Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University, Bohdan Khmelnytsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University, Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav, the University of Educational Management of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, and the Association of Researchers of European Values in Education. The event provided an opportunity to present Erasmus+ projects and their results in implementing inclusive approaches and supporting veterans in Ukraine. Around 70 participants from across Ukraine attended the conference.

AGENDA (in Ukrainian)

The conference brought together representatives of higher education institutions, public authorities, researchers, veterans, civil society organisations, and international partners to discuss current challenges related to veterans’ inclusion, the role of universities in supporting defenders of Ukraine, and the development of accessible and inclusive educational environments. The programme included thematic panel discussions, presentations of university initiatives and Erasmus+ project results, and the exchange of institutional experience and good practices in supporting veterans and strengthening social inclusion.

The conference also showcased the achievements of the Erasmus+ SPARK and UNICOM projects, highlighting their contribution to promoting inclusive approaches, psychological support, and social integration. Participants discussed the importance of strengthening cooperation between universities, public institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners to further develop veteran support services and improve inclusion policies.

The event provided an important platform for exchanging experience and discussing practical approaches to strengthening universities’ role in supporting veterans and fostering inclusive education, while reinforcing the contribution of the Erasmus+ Programme to the development of a more inclusive and resilient higher education system in Ukraine.

Speakers presentations (in Ukrainian):

• Educational Opportunities for Veterans at Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University: From Individual Initiatives to a Systemic Reintegration Model — Liubov PROKOPIV, Head of the Bohdan Stuparyk Department of Pedagogy and Educational Management, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University; Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor.
• Social Cohesion of University and Veteran Communities as a Factor of Societal Resilience — Viacheslav SUPRUN, Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Management and Psychology, State Institution of Higher Education University of Educational Management, National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine; Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor; Honored Education Worker of Ukraine.
• The Labour Market for Veterans and Defence Industry Personnel: Guidance for Employers, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Programmes — Artem HONCHARENKO, Head of the Veterans Institute Architecture of Resilience, Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture.
• The Spiritual Resilience of the Ukrainian Warrior: A Goal and Space for Civil–Military Cooperation among Military Chaplaincy, Academic, and Religious Communities — Roman NEBOZHUK, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work in the Armed Forces and Military Chaplaincy, Military Institute, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
• Challenges and Barriers to the Long-Term Rehabilitation of Ukrainian Armed Forces Service Members — Tetiana MARININA, Officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; Resident Physician, Post-Acute and Long-Term Rehabilitation Department, National Military Medical Clinical Centre Main Military Clinical Hospital; Head of the NGO All-Ukrainian Association of Trauma-Focused Practice Psychologists; Co-Founder of the Home of Heroes Charitable Foundation.
• Initiatives of the NGO “PROGRESYLNI” to Support Veterans and Their Families — Bohdan FERENS, Founder of the NGOs PROGRESYLNI and SD Platform; Candidate of Political Sciences.
• Challenges and Barriers to the Long-Term Rehabilitation of Ukrainian Armed Forces Service Members — Tetiana KROPIVIANSKA, Master of Psychology; Volunteer, Post-Acute and Long-Term Rehabilitation Department, National Military Medical Clinical Centre Main Military Clinical Hospital; Co-Founder of the Home of Heroes Charitable Foundation.
• The Experience of the Veterans Development Centre at Volodymyr Hnatiuk Ternopil National Pedagogical University — Nataliia OLEKSIUK, Head of the Veterans Development Centre; Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy, Volodymyr Hnatiuk Ternopil National Pedagogical University; Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor.
• University Engagement with Male and Female Veterans: The Defenders of Ukraine Leadership Centre as a Model of High-Quality Support and Cooperation — Yana CHAPAILO, Head of the Defenders of Ukraine Leadership Centre, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
• Presentation of the Manifesto on Implementing Systemic Support for Male and Female Veterans at Ukrainian Universities — Iryna OSOVSKA, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, International Relations and Humanitarian Activities, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University; Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor.
• The Activities of the International Research Consortium “Guarding the Lives of Defenders” — Liudmyla HUTSOL, Coordinator of the International Research Consortium, Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University; Chair of the Public Union International Movement “Spiritual and Moral Civilization”; Cardiac Surgeon; Candidate of Medical Sciences.
• After the War: Education for Veterans – Perspectives, Approaches, and Examples — John NESHHEIM, Professor Emeritus, Cornell University (USA); Co-Founder and Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Home of Heroes Charitable Foundation.